Score: Kennesaw State 77, Morehead State 83
Records: Kennesaw State (4-8), Morehead State (5-7)
Key Players: Kelly Dulkoski (20 points); Jasmine McAllister (11 points, 15 rebounds); Iceis Walker (14 points – career high); Alexis Jean (12 points – career high); Aareon Smith (13 points); Clara Young (6 assists)
 
Box Score (XML) | Box Score (PDF)

MOREHEAD, Ky. – A resilient hard-fought effort came up just short at the Johnson Arena on Saturday (Dec. 19), as the Kennesaw State women's basketball program fell to host Morehead State in a non-conference contest, 83-77.

The Owls (4-8) outscored the Eagles (5-7) 47-43 in the second half, including a 28-point outburst in the fourth quarter, but MSU held off a late rally to earn the victory.

For the game, Kennesaw State was led offensively by Kelly Dulkoski's 20 points –15 coming in the first half—, and Jasmine McAllister's fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 15 rebounds. The Owls also received career highs from Iceis Walker (14) and Alexis Jean (12), while Aareon Smith chipped in with 13 points.  

The hot shooting of Dulkoski, a redshirt sophomore guard of China Grove, North Carolina, carried the Owls in the first half, tallying 15 of KSU's 30 points to keep Kennesaw State within reach of the Eagles.
 
Dulkoski went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc over the opening 20 minutes of play, including seven points in the first quarter and eight in the second to lead all scorers at the break. She also was the sparkplug in a key 9-0 run to begin the second quarter.
 
With the Owls trailing 21-13 after the first, Dulkoski opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer that led to run that gave them a 22-21 lead with 8:01 remaining in the half. McAllister and Clara Young also contributed in the run to help Kennesaw State take its first lead of the game.
 
Morehead State, however, answered with an 8-0 run and used that momentum to enter halftime with a 40-30 advantage.
 
The Eagles extended their lead to as many as 14 in the early minutes of the third, but the Owls responded making four straight baskets to pull within nine at the 4:13 mark. Kennesaw State's defense held MSU to one of its last five field goal attempts to end the third quarter, pulling within 58-49 heading to the final 10 minutes of regulation.
 
In fact, the Owls found themselves down 53-39 with just over three minutes remaining, but scrapped back into the game with a 16-7 push to pull within 60-55 with 7:49 remaining in the game.
 
Kennesaw State pulled within one (68-67) when Dulkoski hit a timely 3-pointer in the corner with 3:03 remaining, but it was the closest  the Owls got as Morehead State never surrendered its lead in the final minutes of the game, outscoring KSU 15-10 over the final minutes.
 
Up Next
Kennesaw State's three-game road trip comes to a close on Monday (Dec. 21) afternoon at Xavier in a non-conference tilt. The Owls and Musketeers will tip things off at 1 p.m. ET.
 
Coach Perry Quote
"They entered the game averaging over 80 points a game and the up and down pace was to match them. Overall, I thought we did a pretty good job of getting some great shots but timely turnovers and timely fouls hurt us. This was a game I felt like we didn't start how we wanted to but we ended strong. There was a lot of bright spots today, but there is still a lot of work to do. We wanted to play with confidence and composure and it's a growing process for the team. It was all about heart and pride in the uniform at the end. We wanted to work hard and the fight was there."
 - Kennesaw State Head Coach Nitra Perry

Notes
- Jasmine McAllister tallied her fifth double-double of the season, marking her first since Nov. 29 against New Orleans.
- Kelly Dulkoski scored 15 of the Owls' 30 points in the first half of the contest.
- The Owls' 77 points was the most scored in a game this season, previously 73 versus Austin Peay on Dec. 12.
- The 28-point fourth quarter outburst was the most points scored in a single quarter this season.
- Kennesaw State tallied five players with double-figure scoring.
- Kelly Dulkoski tied her career-high total of 20 points in a single game on 7-for-22 overall shooting from the floor.
- Iceis Walker totaled a new career-high 14 points.
- Alexis Jean, who came off the bench, also totaled a new career-high 12 points.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State women's basketball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsWBB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.